Westport Island, Maine, USA (Westport) (Jeremysquam)
A reporter visits Westport in 1900 investigating the Jessie Cobb murder

Westport lies between Bath and Boothbay Harbor, and is the
first stopping place out of the former city. When the little
steamboat drew up to the wharf there was no human being, and
only two houses in sight.

A legal friend had given the newspaper man a letter of
introduction to Capt. Jewett of Westport, but on inquiry it
was found that there were no less than three Captain Jewetts
on the island. Here was a pretty pickle. They were widely
scattered over the island, so the scribe started for the
nearest captain of that name. The day was hot and with a
heavy overcoat on one arm and a grip in his hand, the
reporter started gaily off through the woods.

A tramp of two miles brought him across the island to the
residence of Capt. Amos Jewett. The captain was away, but
Mrs. Jewett invited the weary traveler to come in and rest.
The people of Westport are extremely hospitable, and as
tramps are unknown there every passerby is welcome to the
best they have.

Conversation ran on lightly from one subject to another until
the name of Brooks was incidentally mentioned. The guest
blandly inquired if the lady knew where Fred Brooks could be
found.

“Oh,” said she, “he is in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and has
been there for seventeen years. His father lives right down
there in that next house. He is one of the finest men that
was ever raised in Westport. We all think everything of him.”
The above conversation settled the question of this
particular Fred Brooks. He is a fine man, of unblemished
character, and his case can at once be dismissed as far as
Jessie Cobb is concerned. A little later the writer dropped
down and had a pleasant conversation with Mr. Chas. Brooks,
the father of Fred, and learned from him that his son was a
fisherman sailing out of Gloucester. He had just received a
letter from him in which he alluded to his pleasant visit
home two years ago and expressed the hope of coming again
next year.

Before the Journal man had left the island a half dozen
different persons had all sounded the praises of Fred Brooks
as a man who was universally respected and loved.
It was clearly evident that another Fred Brooks was the man
wanted, and there were none other on that island...

Lewiston Evening Journal
Lewiston, Maine
October 25, 1900

Visit Westport Island, Maine, USA (Westport) (Jeremysquam)
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.